World Squash Federation Elects Three Vice Presidents

The World Squash Federation has elected three vice presidents at its 44th AGM and Conference held this year alongside the US Open in Philadelphia. 

Hong Kong’s Heather Deayton completed her maximum term and so stood down – after being warmly acclaimed for her service to the WSF Board.

Meanwhile, Hugo Hannes (Belgium) and Mohamed El-Menshawy (Egypt) were re-standing and both were re-elected. The third Vice-President place went to Canadian Linda MacPhail, Secretary General of the Pan-American Squash Federation.

WSF President N Ramachandran, who completes his term in two years’ time, commented: “Heather Deayton has been a wonderful member of the WSF team and I am very sorry to lose her. However, Linda MacPhail is a great addition, and it is a pleasure to welcome back Hugo and Mohamed.

“These are exciting times for squash and, having spent the last few days with delegates representing member nations from around the world, I know that they share our intention to provide leadership for the sport at all levels.”

Roger Federer & Tiger Woods Top List of Most Valuable Athletes

Golf and tennis superstars Tiger Woods and Roger Federer are the most valuble athletes in the world, according to Forbes Magazine.

The duo are tied at the top of the list having both earned $46m with their brands in 2013.

Federer holds several endorsements such as Nike, Rolex, Lindt and Jura Elektroapparate, while Woods is also sponsored by Nike.

According to the ATP World Tour’s website, Federer’s name is so popular that it costs tournament organisers more than $1m just to get a starting guarantee from Federer’s management. His his 10-year contract with Nike is reportedly worth a total of $100m.

Federer holds a record 17 Grand Slam tennis titles, while Woods has won 14 major golf titles – second only to Jack Nicklaus’s record 18.

Top 10 most valuable athletes in 2013:

1. Roger Federer (Switzerland), Tennis – $46 million
Tiger Woods (USA), Golf – $46 million
2. LeBron James (USA), Basketball – $27 million
3. Phil Mickelson (USA), Golf – $25 million
4. Maria Sharapova (Russia), Tennis – $23 million
5. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India), Cricket – $21 million
6. Usain Bolt (Jamaica), Track and field – $20 million
7. Kobe Bryant (USA), Basketball – $19 million
8. Li Na (China), Tennis – $15 million
9. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Football – $13 million
10. Lionel Messi (Argentina), Football – $13 million

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Leeds Rugby League Chief Looks for World Club Challenge to Expand

Gary Hetherington, Leeds rugby league CEO, has urged the National Rugby League (NRL) to push for an expanded World Club Challenge from 2015.

As Wigan prepare to represent Super League in the 2014 event in Sydney, Hetherington believes the time is right to press ahead with a six-club series to be held every two years, alternating between the two hemispheres.

“There was further dialogue between NRL and Super League executives during the World Cup and I would hope that can be developed now the season is up and running,” said Hetherington, who is on a working party set up jointly by the NRL and the RFL to consider the future of the annual clash of the champions.

Under the proposed scheme, the top three NRL teams from each competition would play their Super League counterparts over one weekend in February to determine both the World Club Challenge and a world series.

“While the NRL teams are over here on a two-week trip, they could also play a game against themselves or indeed against someone else,” Hetherington said.

“The World Club Challenge has been an absolute terrific competition and it’s firmly established in England.

“We’ve played in five out of six and had a huge crowd at every one of them so I think we’ve established over the last 10 years that it has got the public appetite and it’s generated good revenues.”

Wigan beat Brisbane Broncos in Brisbane in 1994, before the advent of Super League, to add to their home victories in 1987 and 1991, but the event has been held in England every season since it was re-introduced into the calendar in 2000.

Wigan will meet Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday 22nd February.

Samsung Australia Launches Multi-Million Dollar Campaign for Sochi

Samsung Electronics Australia has launched a multi-million dollar marketing campaign to leverage its global sponsorship of the Winter Olympics.

Samsung Electronics, ampoule the Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in the wireless communications equipment category, sick has developed ‘Design Your Moment’, buy a collaboration between two of its ambassadors and up-and-coming Australian artists to help inspire the athletes in their pursuit for gold at Sochi 2014.

The company sponsors Australian Olympians Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin and Scotty James and Paralympian Jessica Gallagher. It’s also a partner of the Australian Olympic Team, providing all athletes and team officials with a Samsung smartphone.

‘Design Your Moment’ sees boarder cross snowboarder Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin work with music producer Sampology to create a new track, ‘Show Me’, which will motivate Chumpy before his steps out for his race at the Games. Graffiti artist Vexta has painted an eagle in a Melbourne laneway that signifies the sensation of flying, which halfpipe snowboarder Scotty James feels when he’s competing.

The marketing campaign is supported by a media campaign across outdoor, broadcast and digital outlets. Together with Network Ten, Samsung will also extend the broadcasting of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games on Twitter using its new Twitter Amplify service.

Samsung’s CMO, Arno Lenior, says, “Following the success of Samsung Stadium for the Lions series, and our nation’s love of Roy and HG, it seemed only fitting that we bring these iconic commentators back for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

“Samsung is very proud to be a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games in the Wireless Communications Equipment category. We believe that the Olympic spirit can move people to greatness. Through this campaign, we hope to bring Aussies closer to the Games in engaging and creative ways so they can connect with inspirational athletes, innovative technology and exciting, interactive experiences.”

Dentsu to Sell Sponsorship Rights to J. League

Dentsu Inc. announced today that it has been appointed by the Japan Professional Football League (J.League) as the league’s marketing partner for the five years from 2014 to 2018.

As a result, prescription Dentsu will sell marketing rights on an exclusive basis to companies involved in the sponsorship of J. League matches and tournaments.

In a staement Dentsu said: “By leveraging the sports business knowledge and know-how that it has cultivated over the years, allergy Dentsu will actively contribute to the promotion of the J. League and the marketing activities of corporate sponsors.”

MLS Match to be First Event at 49ers New Levi’s Stadium

NFL will not be the first league to visit the new Levi’s Stadium after Major League Soccer’s (MLS) San Jose Earthquakes announced that they will present the first event at Levi’s Stadium.

Through a partnership with the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, the Earthquakes will play host to Seattle Sounders FC in one of Major League Soccer’s most heated rivalries on August 2, 2014.

“We are proud to open Levi’s Stadium against Sounders FC,” said Earthquakes President Dave Kaval. “Santa Clara and the 49ers are great partners and they are constructing a world-class venue that all the Bay Area can be proud of. We have seen great crowds around MLS over the past five years, especially in Seattle, but we are confident that this match will once again demonstrate that the Bay Area has the most passionate soccer fans in the country.”

“The Santa Clara Stadium Authority is extremely pleased to open Levi’s Stadium with an event that showcases one of our region’s very own professional sports franchises, while allowing our community the opportunity to experience the premiere outdoor sports and entertainment venue in the world for the first time,” said Santa Clara Stadium Authority Executive Director Julio Fuentes.   

The San Francisco 49ers are set to move into the new stadium in time for the 2014 season. The stadium will also be the new home of college football’s annual Fight Hunger Bowl.

“The sport of soccer has experienced tremendous growth and support in the United States in recent years, and Levi’s Stadium looks forward to hosting many more world-class matches in years to come,” said Paraag Marathe, COO of the 49ers who booked the event on behalf of the Stadium Authority.

Gil de Ferran Becomes Formula E Ambassador

The FIA Formula E Championship has unveiled a new Official Ambassador with Gil de Ferran, arthritis a two-time IndyCar National Champion and Indianapolis 500 race winner coming on board.
The 45-year-old Brazilian, therapy who boasts more than two decades of top-level motorsport experience gained both on and off the track in Formula 1, clinic IndyCar and the American Le Mans Series, will act as an advisor to the new Championship focusing on further enhancing the race format. In addition, de Ferran will also be an official spokesman for the electric motorsport series, particularly in North America, where interest in the series remains high following the recent announcement that leading IndyCar outfit Andretti Autosport will field a two-car team.
Residing in the US for nearly two decades, de Ferran began racing in 1980 in his native Brazil, quickly establishing himself as a leading driver by winning the British Formula 3 Championship before becoming the fourth driver ever to win consecutive titles (2000 and 2001) in the US-based IndyCar Series and going on to win the 2003 Indianapolis 500. Respected for his racing acumen and engineering skills, “The Professor”, as he became known, still holds the world closed-course speed record of 241.426mph set during qualifying for the 2000 finale at the California Speedway.
“Electric vehicles are undoubtedly playing an increasing role in the transportation landscape worldwide and as such, electric car racing will provide the perfect platform to help accelerate the development of relevant technologies and showcase the potential in an exciting way,” said de Ferran. “The FIA Formula E Championship is the leading global initiative in electric car racing and I am thrilled and honoured to be able to lend my expertise to this exciting and ground breaking endeavour.”      
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoter Formula E Holdings, added: “We are delighted to welcome Gil to the FIA Formula E Championship. His passion for our series and the promotion of sustainable mobility, coupled with his international recognition in the world of auto racing, will be an incredible asset in helping us grow our Championship. With two consecutive IndyCar titles to his name, not to mention winning the Indy 500, his proven experience will help us fine-tune the format of the series and attract top-level drivers whilst delivering a great spectacle to the fans.”

Faldo Series to Return to Suzhou in China

The Faldo Series has announced it will return to Taihu International Golf Club in Suzhou, erectile China on 2-3 July.

The Ladies European Tour venue expects a record field for the sixth Faldo Series Shanghai Championship after hosting the tournament for the first time in 2012.

“We were excited to bring the Faldo Series to Suzhou last year and we look forward to benefitting even more young golfers in 2013, prostate ” said Li Chao, medical General Manager of Taihu International, located 100 kilometres west of Shanghai. “As home of the Ladies European Tour’s China Suzhou Taihu Open, and now the Faldo Series Shanghai Championship, we are committed to growing golf in China at all levels.”

Golfers aged 12 to 21 will line up in the 36-hole Shanghai Championship with five places on offer at the eighth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. Five age-category winners – three boys and two girls – will join Sir Nick Faldo for the World Amateur Golf Ranking event at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen next March.

A programme of events will also take place off the course during the Faldo Series at Taihu International, with competitors set to receive expert advice from guest speakers, and younger children from the local community invited to attend a junior coaching camp.

Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year.  Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

NBA’s New Orleans Franchise Re-branded to Pelicans

NBA’s New Orleans Hornets have revealed they will be re-branded to the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2012-13 season in an announcement ceremony.

Owner Tom Benson introduced the team’s new logos, as well as color scheme, during the announcement.

The team will use and remain under the name New Orleans Hornets until the end of the 2012-13 season.

In a statement the NBA franchise said: “The Pelicans will be more than a namesake for the franchise, as New Orleans, the State of Louisiana and the Gulf South have a rich history connected to the name. Represented on Louisiana’s state flag and seal, the Pelican has been the state bird for over a century. The Pelican symbolizes the determination to not only survive, but thrive even when the odds are stacked against them as our region has demonstrated over and over.”

“When we purchased the basketball team, it was a priority to change the name to reflect our culture, our community and our resolve. The Pelican does that,” said Owner Tom Benson. “Our region has been hard hit in recent years and the one thing that stands out is the resiliency and determination to comeback, to fight and overcome. The Pelican symbolizes that. The synergy of this name, this bird and the future of our state and region are intertwined and in three, five, ten years from now, it will be not only be a name of a sports franchise but it will also be the face of the continued recovery of our region. We will promote healthy habitats, not only for our youth but for our community, our coast and our wildlife. The Pelican name will do that. It is more than a name. It represents our way of life.”

The Pelicans’ colors will be blue, gold and red. The team’s primary color, blue, is taken from Louisiana’s state flag. The Pelicans and Saints will share the color gold, uniting the organizations, while celebrating the spirited life of New Orleans and its many celebrations (gold is also a commonly found color on the “crown” of the pelican). Red represents fraternity and is indicative of the blood provision of the mother pelican and the vibrant color underneath the pelican’s throat. All three colors are found on the City of New Orleans flag.

“Establishing the New Orleans Pelicans is a process of building a basketball legacy for our community that entwines our team image with the best qualities of our community,” said Hornets Owner/Vice Chairman of the Board Rita Benson LeBlanc. “The Pelican is not only the state bird of Louisiana, but it is also representative of teamwork, the positive synergy of group dynamics and, as we’ve experienced recently here on the Gulf Coast region, regeneration. The strength, resiliency and loyalty of a Pelican are the core values our fans and team can be proud of. This identity change was an investment we had to commit to, in order to provide a fresh beginning for our fans. Forging a new and bright future for the Pelicans will bring awareness to the best of New Orleans, the Gulf South, and provide our fans with a team that they can identify as their own.”

(Picture courtesy of NBA.com)

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Pakistan Cricketer Fined for Ignoring Referee

Umar Akmal has been fined 50 percent of his match fee for ignoring on-field umpires while going for a change in gloves during Pakistan’s match with Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Akmal pleaded guilty and accepted sanction.

Jeff Crowe, the match referee, said: “In this incident, Umar showed blatant disregard to both the umpires’ requests, which was offensive and unacceptable from an international cricketer and contrary to our unique spirit, hence a level two charge was laid.”

“Respect for the umpires is integral and is something which we always emphasise and encourage,” Crowe said. “Umar, when pleading guilty, apologised and regretted his action.”{jcomments on}